Cam Akers: Future Phenom

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What might Rams RB Cam Akers ceiling be in 2021?

Now that LA Rams‘ RB Cam Akers is firmly ensconced as the team’s lead back, he is projected to be the team’s 2021 featured back. No, that’s not the word on the street, that’s supported by the weighty endorsement of his head coach Sean McVay to fulfill that role this upcoming season. So let’s get right to it, is it fair to ask what his ceiling might be?

He’s also playing on a consistent playoff-contending team behind a good run-blocking offensive line, to boot. So he’s got that going for him.

It seems fair to think Akers will most likely be used in a similar fashion to the way former Rams running back Todd Gurley was used back in 2017, or how the Baltimore Ravens used Mark Ingram in 2019 as the lone back, more times than not. Not just as a ground-and-pound, but as a dangerous target in the passing game as well.

Can you say workhorse?

And that’s a good thing, high praise intended. Because workhorses are reliable, dependable, durable beasts. A workhorse back is the kind of runner who only seems to get better as the game wears on, and the grass stains on their uniforms pile up.

They don’t really get going until they are slathered up, just like a workhorse.

The more touches, the better the flow.

Second half sensation

It was Akers who put together a solid second half of the season last year, coming on strong down the home stretch, which allowed him to wrest control of the backfield. His 625 rushing yards, were the sixth-most among NFL rookies. That strong performance convinced head coach McVay that Akers was his go-to guy to pound the rock then, and going forward now.

And when McVay’s game plan called for a heavy dose of ground-and-pound against a New England Patriots defense weakened by injuries, Akers responded with 194 total yards, a breakout game for him personally, but also a critical win enabling the Rams’ stretch run to the playoffs. It was a breakthrough victory for McVay and the Rams. A benchmark that proved that McVay can coach with the best of the NFL.

He followed that up by delivering 176 all-purpose yards and scoring a TD when the games mattered the most, in the team’s 30-20 wild-card playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Round two

He answered the bell just as a good workhorse does.

And Akers plays for a Rams squad that’s in the top tier of teams that run the ball. The team ranked seventh in rushing attempts per game last year, averaging just a smidgeon over 29 attempts per game. (The Baltimore Ravens, unsurprisingly, were first in that category, averaging just a tad under 35 attempts per game.) NFL Rushing Attempts 2020

Of course, the same Coach McVay talked about changing the format of the Rams offense this year, changing from a long-drive time of possession style offense to one of the quick-strike capabilities. But that will only serve to help Akers, as the defense will focus more on defending the pass. That means fewer bodies in the box and more room for Akers to run.

Is it so very unrealistic to think Akers could put up numbers this upcoming season that we’re in the ballpark of 1,500 total yards (rushing and passing) and 15 TDs?

That would be a very nice ceiling, indeed.
 
even after Malcom Brown departed??

I mean competition on this board to be Akers biggest cheerleader.

As for the Rams roster, Akers is a featured star in this offense until he proves he isn't anymore.
Henderson will be extremely useful as a complimentary piece in the run game, keeping his body fresh so he can hopefully be as productive in the 2nd half of the season as he was in the 1st half. And maybe Xavier Jones cuts out a role for himself or some other as yet unknown ball carrier does... but IMO it's not a contest and Akers is just the next in a long line of tremendous Rams RBs.

He will never be seen as a threat like Gurley or a beast like Jackson, but his feel for space, his patience, his instincts and his composure make him the real deal and if he can match his talent with longevity, he will climb some franchise record books and leave his name among some HOFers (Faulk, Dickerson) and some all-time greats. (Jackson, Gurley, etc.)
 
I really hoping they approve the use of single digit numbers. Would love to see akers in 3 and woods in 2.
 
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I mean competition on this board to be Akers biggest cheerleader
Haha, thanks for clarifying. I was ready to give you the business because I thought u were saying Cam wasn't good last season. That kid definitely has a way about him. Very rarely saw him NOT falling forward. He gets low, follows his blocks and has natural instincts to find holes and exploit them. I love his game.
 
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I mean competition on this board to be Akers biggest cheerleader.

As for the Rams roster, Akers is a featured star in this offense until he proves he isn't anymore.
Henderson will be extremely useful as a complimentary piece in the run game, keeping his body fresh so he can hopefully be as productive in the 2nd half of the season as he was in the 1st half. And maybe Xavier Jones cuts out a role for himself or some other as yet unknown ball carrier does... but IMO it's not a contest and Akers is just the next in a long line of tremendous Rams RBs.

He will never be seen as a threat like Gurley or a beast like Jackson, but his feel for space, his patience, his instincts and his composure make him the real deal and if he can match his talent with longevity, he will climb some franchise record books and leave his name among some HOFers (Faulk, Dickerson) and some all-time greats. (Jackson, Gurley, etc.)

Raymond Calais is an interesting player.He was cut by the SuperBowl Champions so they could go with a more veteran players. He was on the 53 all season as a rookie.

The Rams stable had 3 rookies & Hendo the 2nd year back.

I have not read most of the post on Akers. Glad your a Big Fan. I’ll say the 2 guys I’m really cheering for in 2021 is well Noteboom & Lewis. Just to stay healthy & be team guys. There talent are above average.

Akers reminds me of Fred Taylor & Emmitt Smith. I know Cam is from FSU,so you can add a couple others.D. Cooks who I wanted Les Snead to draft instead of Everett.

Akers is the bigger back.
HENDO is electric.
The Rams need a finisher type RB though.I prefer a bigger back,but the object is to move the chains & run out the clock. All while preserving Cam Akers for the season & taking any cheap shots from a frustrated player.
 
I believe Akers gained 70% of his yards in college after his first contact. He didn't have a great O-line in college. If those same skills can carry over to the NFL, Cam could have a breakout year. Moving the chains consistently will keep opposing defenses on the field longer. We all know what happens when a defense is gassed in the 3rd quarter to say nothing of the 4th. If Stafford can keep defenses honest by delivering the long ball with some measure of consistency, Akers could light things up this year. Now if we can just find a good center ...
 
Akers needs to prove he's durable and can be a bell cow for a 17 game season.

Too many Rams fans have anointed him without seeing him last an entire NFL season.

I need to see him endure a long NFL season 17 games before I give him the elite next great Rams running back.


Show us you can endure a 17 game NFL season
Prove-Your-Worth.jpg
 
I see Akers as a 1,200 yard runner, 650+ receiver with 13 total TDs this up coming season====SUCCESS

I hope McVay spells him with Henderson when the have the lead or a series or two mid game.
 
Cam has an arm also. In high school one year had 3000 yards passing and 2000 yards rushing. Did I hear that right?

If I did, talk about another huge element.

Did we ever attempt a pass with Cam last season? I don’t think we did.

So, yeah... work that “threat” into some play design.

Some Tasom Hill like play calls. :censored:
 
It's funny how last year everyone was the JK Dobbins honk (including myself) even tho both players did essentially the same thing in production. Cam would've match JK Dobbins' total numbers, maybe even better, if he didn't get hurt early.

Lesson learned no? Just b/c "your guy" doesn't get taken, doesn't mean it's the wrong pick.